NEWS

Protesters outside Vandenberg Space Force Base in Southern California. Moments later, at 11:01 p.m. on Election Night (November 5th), a Minuteman III ICBM was launched carrying three dummy nuclear warheads, which landed in the ocean near the Marshall Islands about 20 minutes later. Protesters included Sharat Lin (San Jose Peace Center), Lynn Hamilton (WILPF and Monterey Peace and Justice Center), MacGregor Eddy (CA World BEYOND War and WILPF), Scott Yundt (Tri-Valley CARES), Jan Meslin (Central Coast Anti-War Pro-Peace Coalition), and Leah Yananton (Los Angeles CodePink). Photo by Scott Yundt, used with permission.

by Cherrill Spencer  
co-chair of DISARM/End Wars Committee

November 2024

While we are unhappy with the results of the general election, let’s not let that lead to inaction. We must continue organizing events, collaborating with sister peace organizations, and pressuring Congress to reduce the massive military budget.  “I’m not going to start wars, I’m going to stop wars,” declared Republican U.S. presidential nominee Donald Trump in his victory speech on November 6th. Let’s hold him to this declaration and remind him of it at every opportunity.

WATCH: As we have explained in recent eNEWS articles, silo-based missiles like the Intercontinental Ballistic Missile (ICBM) launched from Vandenberg Space Force Base on November 5th are expensive, dangerous, and unnecessary. Watch a short video showing the rocket rising into the night sky and hear its engines roar

WILPF Members Advocate for Women’s Rights

WILPF members continue to support women’s rights, reproductive rights, and the fight against being sent back to a time when women had no political or economic power.
 

Four WILPF members joined the Women’s March on November 2nd in Washington, DC. See the photo below. We must align with the broader feminist movement to ensure that the gains of recent decades are not lost under the new federal administration.
 

WILPF members from the DC-Maryland-Virginia branch participated in the Women’s March on November 2nd in DC. Photo by Laura George, used with permission.

Good News from the United Nations: Studying the Effects of Nuclear War

The UN General Assembly’s First Committee voted to establish a scientific panel to examine the physical effects and societal consequences of nuclear war, including climatic, environmental, and radiological impacts. This study will update knowledge from 30 years ago.

• Read the resolution here.
• Key votes: 144 countries supported the resolution, while Russia, France, and Britain opposed it. The U.S. abstained, along with 30 other nations.

The resolution is expected to pass the General Assembly in December, after which UN Secretary-General António Guterres will appoint a 21-member scientific panel. WILPF will have the opportunity to provide input, helping inform the international public about the devastating consequences of nuclear war.

Observe Human Rights Day, December 10: Watch the Nobel Peace Prize Ceremony

Human Rights Day, observed on December 10, marks the 1948 adoption of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights. This year’s theme is “Equality—Reducing Inequalities and Advancing Human Rights.”

On December 10, the Nobel Peace Prize will be awarded to Nihon Hidankyo for their efforts to achieve a world free of nuclear weapons and for demonstrating that nuclear weapons must never be used again.

Watch the Nobel Peace Prize ceremony livestream, including inspiring speeches and musical interludes.

Join the DISARM/END WARS Issue Committee

We welcome new members to the DISARM/END WARS Issue Committee. Meetings are held via Zoom on the second and last Sundays of each month at 4:30 p.m. PT, 6:30 p.m. CT, and 7:30 p.m. ET.

To request the Zoom link or join the DISARM listserv, email: disarmchair@wilpfus.org.

Introduction

The goal of this webpage is to provide information to members about this year’s WILPF board candidates and Bylaws amendment proposals. All of these will be on the same ballot.

In 2024, as in the past, WILPF US members can vote yes, no, or abstain on the ballot items. Ballots must be mailed in by the postmark date of December 11, 2024.

If you believe you are a current member and do not receive your ballot in the mail by December 3, please contact our national office by emailing Chris Wilbeck at chris.wilpf@gmail.com or by phone at 515-229-6988. You will be contacted to resolve the situation.

In addition to the ballot packet and the information and links provided below, learn more about the board candidates and Bylaws amendment proposals by joining one or both of our special Candidate Forums. You’ll hear more from the candidates and about the proposals and have the chance to ask questions. Dates and more information can be found below or in the members-only eAlert.

Information about the Ballot Packet and Ballot

Your ballot packet will come by mail between November 25 and December 4. It will include an introductory letter with an attached reply coupon to use if you wish to update your contact information, renew your membership, and/or make a donation. The packet will also include the official ballot, an official return envelope, candidate statements from each candidate, and the Bylaws amendment proposals. Links to both the Proposed Bylaws Amendments and complete candidacy documents from each candidate are provided below under Specific Ballot Information.

The ballot will explain that you may vote yes, no, or abstain for each Bylaws amendment and candidate in uncontested races. In contested races, you may vote yes for no more than one team (for the co-president teams) or one candidate. Your official ballot must be postmarked by December 11 and returned in the official return envelope. 

About the Information on the Candidates

There are two ways to learn about the candidates.

1. Candidacy Documents

One way is below on this webpage under Specific Ballot Information. There you can click on the candidate’s name to view these candidacy documents grouped together for each candidate:

• candidate’s board application,
• candidate's statement,
• resume and/or activist bio, and
• two letters of recommendation and/or nomination

2. Candidate Forums

Another, more dynamic informational opportunity will be at the two 90-minute candidate forums on Monday, Nov. 18, and Thursday, Nov. 21. You are welcome to attend either or both. We are varying the start times to allow those on each coast to pick the best time for themselves.

The forums will include short campaign speeches from each candidate and pre-selected questions posed to each. The time available for questions will depend on how many candidates are in that session. The event will be moderated by a Nominating Committee member.

Forum Dates, Times, and Registration

Monday, Nov. 18: 90-minute long, beginning at 7 pm (Eastern Time – 6 pm Central, 5 pm Mountain, 4 pm Pacific Time)

Thursday, Nov 21: 90-minute long, beginning at 8 pm (Eastern time – 7 pm Central, 6 pm Mountain, 5 pm Pacific Time)

You can register for one or both candidate forums here at this link. This same link is available in a members only eAlert sent mid-November.

About the Information on the Bylaws Amendments

Comparable to the presentation of information on each candidate, click on the link below to view the information on the proposed Bylaws amendments.

Specific Ballot Information: Candidate

Co-Presidents: Running as two competing teams

Shilpa Pandey and Martha Collins

or

Dianne Blais and Jan Corderman

These three candidates are running unopposed:

Development Committee Chair: Marybeth Gardam

Nominating Committee Chair: Julie Kabukanyi

Membership Development Committee Chair: Eileen Kurkoski

At-Large Board Member #1 (one of the two At-Large Board Members on the Board), competing for this seat:

Julie Leak or

Gloria McMillan

Specific Ballot Information: Proposed Bylaws Amendments

Click this link for information about all five proposed Bylaws amendments.

_________________________________________

Historic Information

2023 Board Election Candidates

Candidate for Secretary: Virginia (Ginger) Harris

Candidates for Personnel Committee Chair:

Cee' Cee' Anderson

Dee Murphy

Candidates for Development Committee Co-Chairs (as a team): Martha Collins & Marybeth Gardam

Candidate for At-Large Board Member #2: Tina Shelton

2022 Board Election Candidates

Candidate for Treasurer: Barbara Nielsen

Candidate for Program Committee Chair: George Friday

2021 Board Election Candidates

Candidate for President: Darien De Lu

Candidate for Program Committee Chair: Jennifer Bailey

Candidate for Secretary: Dianne Blais

Candidate for At-Large Board Member #1: Phillip Cole

2020 Board Election Candidates

Candidate for Personnel Committee Chair: Ellen Thomas

Candidate for At-Large Board Member #2: Linda Conte

Candidate for Membership Development Committee Chair: Shilpa Pandey

Candidate for Treasurer: Jan Corderman

2019 Board Election Candidates

Candidate for Treasurer: Jan Corderman

Candidate for Program Committee Chair: Joan Goddard

Candidate for Membership Development Committee Chair: Shilpa Pandy

On Wednesday morning, November 7, many of us were deeply saddened – at the least – by many of the electoral outcomes. Now we are left to heal and renew ourselves for the peace and justice struggles ahead. Let’s take some time to rest ourselves in nature, talk with and hug our friends, and cry if we want to! And then let’s start making our informed choices. 

How will we, how do we, as the song says "be the flower in the gun"?  Consider the long list of so many areas at risk: what will you do? Certainly, we no longer have reason to be ignorant about previously concealed vicious attitudes and prejudices. Public statements and behaviors now display what was once hidden, unseen in dark corners. In WILPF, we have our branches and our issue committees, where we can take action to confront these.

In the U.S., most of us will survive these next few years, but many won’t. Around the world, greater numbers are likely to suffer and die – due to the continuing global arms trade, militaristic choices, and continuing inaction on cutting down the use of carbon-based fuels. These are grim realities, yet we are strengthened in our determination by acknowledging them.

Meanwhile, many voters continued to ignore the scientific evidence – and even the extreme weather and wild fires. Were they subconsciously afraid of this dire situation, so they voted for a "strong man" seeking a sense of security?

In the decades ahead, the plants and animals of the planet also must cope with climate change. Depending on how well we mobilize, we can help some to survive, even if many won’t. Prepare to stand strong and take action! We have future generations on our side. They’re counting on us—to pass along to them a world of vibrant and diverse life. 

Also, to build a better future, we know that we want to – and can – improve public education. School board meetings are usually unexciting, but they’re local and important.

Still, I’m asking myself, what happened in this election? Wisdom tells me to look clearly at the objective reality. Multiple governments in Europe and around the world are moving to the far right and experiencing trends to tyranny. I should know better than to think that "American exceptionalism" would shelter us!

Yet how is it that sexism, racism, and fear seem to have such a grip on the U.S. public? Yes, I know the prevailing narrative says the issue was the economy.  But I don’t accept simple and shallow answers. For me what stands out in this election is the power of sexism, especially as we see the many states that elected a Republican to be their male President, while at the same time they chose a Democrat for Senator. 

I also look at the ridiculous claims, even in the mainstream media, that voters in Florida, including the women, "rejected"  that state’s constitutional amendment to expand abortion access. That’s quite a spin, when a strong majority – over 57% – voted for the amendment. Only rarely do majorities in any election reach the tough 60% which is needed to pass a Florida state measure.

Is such reporting the subtle expression of the takeover of nearly all of radio and TV by profit-driven and (in many cases) far-Right forces? That development, along with the rise of social media, calls on us to build trust, contact, and communication by expanding our person-to-person conversations. Through outreach, canvassing, and building a presence in our local communities, we can work to break through the divisions and alienation in our society. 

Such contact can help offset another deeply disturbing societal trend: the crisis of information and media, with too much information from too many unreliable sources. As a result, people can’t discern what’s real from what’s not. Worse yet, with the frequent and repeated speaking of lies, people begin to question if anything can be considered real or true.

If we truly want to move toward a different world, I believe we will have to push ourselves past our own fears, to find ways to reach out and talk more deeply with our families, neighbors, work and social associates, and even strangers about the issues that we care about as WILPF members.  

But right now, this week, may we honor ourselves by doing our best to give our deeply injured selves some small and necessary time to grieve the current and coming losses. And then, renewed, let’s prepare seriously for the heavy work ahead.

Darien Elyse De Lu

President, WILPF US  

Apply Now: WILPF US opening for U.S. Section WILPF International Advisory Board Member Alternate 

Are you considering expanding your perspective to a wider realm? This fairly short-term Alternate position is a good one for someone wanting to try out becoming more involved with national and international leadership. As the Alternate, you would be invited to attend the WILPF International Advisory Board meetings, twice a year – a well as the WILPF US Board meetings. 

The virtual Advisory Board meetings address topics of general concern to WILPF International sections. (The meetings, because they are international, frequently are at awkward times in the U.S.)  The terms of the Advisory Board Member and Alternate end about one to three months after the 2025 WILPF International Congress next summer. The incumbents may re-apply for the next term; the full terms are about three years. 

Applicants must have been WILPF US members for 24 out of the last 30 months and be a current member.  Please request your application – and/or more information – from the Nominating Committee Chair, Ellen Schwartz at nominatingchair@wilpfus.org and to the full committee at Nominatingcommittee@wilpfus.org. The deadline for the application and a letter of introduction is Wednesday, November 13th, 11 pm, local time.

2) Now there’s a new reason to get active with a national WILPF committee!

There are many good reasons to join a national WILPF committee! You’ll meet other dedicated, and remarkable activists, you’ll get an overview of how WILPF US works, you’ll develop your leadership skills, and you’ll shape WILPF work in the area where you’re involved.

When WILPF US members vote in November, on the ballot will include the new reason to join a committee. The proposed Bylaws amendment states that applications for a national Board candidacy will require having served for at least a year on an active national committee. 

Qualifying committees include: Issue committees, Board committees, and ad hoc committees. 
Learn more about WILPF committees here.

For further information, please email me at President@wilpfus.org.

You can also call me (No texts), Darien, at 916-739-0860 – after 9 am PT.
 

3) WILPF Branches – Be part of the new collaboration initiative!

As WILPF US President, I’m very excited to (re-)announce this new collaboration initiative, between the Office of the President and a given branch. This is an opportunity for any branch to access WILPF’s eAlerts and website to gain national attention on a local issue of concern for the branch. Of course, the issue should have some national relevance – and what issue doesn’t?  

I’ll be glad to assist branches in highlighting such connections in the full-length piece that they propose for their contribution to this collaboration initiative. To get a sense of how this works, give an overview look at the webpage for the initial piece, which calls on us to Fund Schools First.

Probably, it’s easiest to call me (No texts), Darien, at 916/739-0860 – after 9 am PT.